FARMINGTON — Donations are beginning to come in to Utahns for Better Transportation to fund a study of the Shared Solution alternative to the West Davis Corridor.

The Shared Solution Coalition is demanding to be involved at every step of the project and they need funds to bring in experts in transportation, demographics, land use and planning issues, said Roger Borgenicht, director of Utahns for Better Transportation.

That shared solution would encompass better use of mass transit and arterial roadways, and such options as telecomuting and flex-scheduling in the workplace.

“We already have a $3,500 donation from the Farmington Ranches Homeowners Association and donations from a number of individuals,” Borgenicht said.

The group is hoping to raise $10,000 to bring two nationally known experts in on the study. Future future funds raised would bring in additional experts.

The group SaveFarmington is encouraging donations to the cause.

“With the critical analysis of our experts, and with the development of the Shared Solution as a viable alternative to the WDC freeway, it will make it very difficult for UDOT to construct this four-lane freeway that will destroy our neighborhoods, cities and important wetland habitats,” said Todd Karl Jenson with Save Farmington in an email sent to supporters of the cause.

The group is meeting with with the Utah Department of Transportation on July 30. Members hope to get a commitment in writing for a “full, fair, and rigorous evaluation of a shared solution for livability and mobility in west Davis County and west Weber County,” Borgenicht said on Tuesday.

A comment period is currently underway through Aug. 23 in which UDOT is soliciting input on the West Davis Corridor and the Glover Lane option that would route the corridor from Farmington to 4100 West in Weber County. The route would take the road just west of the Bluff Road in Syracuse, and that has caused complaints from Farmington and Syracuse residents alike.

UDOT has said it will consider a shared solution, Borgenicht said, but they need something more to look at than is currently available.

“We don’t have to have the shared solution developed, but should have more than just a concept,” Borgenicht said.

“People in Syracuse and Farmington are really saying, ‘the road as proposed will only be at 20 or 40 percent capacity in 2040, so why are we building a freeway?’” Borgenicht said, adding the residents of both cities want to maintain their idyllic semi-rural lifestyle. They also say that it’s not worth building a freeway to save two minutes on their trip to Salt Lake City.

The Shared Solution Coalition will work over the next four or five weeks to ensure that their experts can be involved in the process every step of the way.

Those who would like to donate may do so online at sharedsolution.org/donate, or by sending a check made payable to Utahns for Better Transportation, 218 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City, 84111. Donations are tax deductible.